Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[nuts-n-volts]

Probably obvious, but I only put my airplanes in the sun when they are turned on and ready to go. Otherwise, it's pure shade for them.

Two tips: I throw lightweight blankets (airline blankets) over them when they are in the van. And, I generally don't leave them in the van and make stops. Just straight to and from the field. If it's really hot out, I spray a fine mist of water over the plane before putting out there on the runway. Helps to keep a dark plane cool while at a standstill. That water is gone after you rotate.

It's really the heat at the surface that kills the foam. Even clear coating will not stop all of the damage that you can incur.

[spook]

absolutely beautiful Phantom! Hope you wiill not get the gator effect. Did you seal or protected the surface?

[nuts-n-volts]

That is one Baaad Bunny! Good on ya!

[Elbee]

Just completed my build of the Freewing F-4 Phatom. Went with the Black Bunnies livery with graphics from Callie. I left the bottom of her the ghost gray so it would easier for my old eyes to tell is she is up or down in flight.So for right now she will just look pretty on the rack waiting to get into the air.

CJ, Absolutely Stunning. Bravo Zulu, Sir. Best, LB

[Cape Jets]

Just completed my build of the Freewing F-4 Phatom. Went with the Black Bunnies livery with graphics from Callie. I left the bottom of her the ghost gray so it would easier for my old eyes to tell is she is up or down in flight.



Equipped her with a FMS 90mm 3670-1950kv Inrunner 12 blade, Freewing 150amp ESC, Hitec HS-5245 servo for the Elevator. Also included an afterburner for the real jet effect. I've read through most of the posts here and adjusted throws and elevator to what most of you guys are setting yours. Setting CG to 190 to start and will see how that works when I maiden her in the spring. Alittle too cold here now on Cape Cod for flights. So for right now she will just look pretty on the rack waiting to get into the air.

[locharrow]

As far as actuator for the front part of the door goes, if it is function over looks the simplest way is with a wee elastic band...hook on one side, round the back of the strut and hook on the other side.......got peed off fiddling with the tiny springs loooong ago !

[russ t]

Was given a beat up Phantom, and am restoring it to fly. Bought new nose gear doors, to replace missing ones. But didn't receive a way to attach front door to nose gear strut. Perhaps spring, pushrod, elastic, or link? Please could someone post a good picture of the forward door actuator mechanism?
Thanks so much, R.

[jetpltrich]

Here is a test launch which was successful. I can't speak for the cameraman who had several cameras to take video with and failed to operate the cameras properly only getting one video.



Test launch - YouTube

I painted the rocket Kabuta Orange in order to see it. I had my doubts about recovery but the chute opened and I was able to locate it in the field next door.

[jetpltrich]

JPR, is like a small mag to generate the spark? Quite clever it seems. Good luck, Sir. Best, LB

LB, it is a push button switch - OFF/ON. The servo when activated will push the button to on. That will complete the circuit and off it goes.

I made a stand to rest the F-4 on and will test launch the rocket today. If all goes well I will start test flights with the plane, the first being a flight with just the launch pylon followed by test with the rocket on but no firing. I need to know that should I have a miss fire she will land okay. I should have video of the test firing of the rocket this evening.

Rich

[Elbee]

JPR, is like a small mag to generate the spark? Quite clever it seems. Good luck, Sir. Best, LB

[jetpltrich]

With the proof of concept complete with the successful A-10 launch of an Estes rocket I wanted to do another launch with the A-4. The more I studied the A-4 space was becoming the issue, there is not enough space in the A-4 for the triggering mechanism etc.. I then switched to the F-4 and studied the feasibility and concluded this could work and not be out of bounds for the authenticity of the real one. I remember loading target drones on the F-4 back in the early 80's, AQM something or other and I think they were made by Beechcraft, can't remember.

Trying to decide whether to launch slightly nose up or to ground attack in a shallow dive. I hope to have better videos of this shot than of the A-10 shot.

[nuts-n-volts]

I agree with Kallend and recommend to upgrade the elevator servo. I would not even trust the stock one. I've had too many... and 2 is too many... go out on me. A servo on an aileron or rudder is one thing, you can still probably steer her home. Even one side of a flap is doable. But on the elevator, no. It's the only thing holding you up.

[Coconut]

Thanks for the info, GG.

[GliderGuy]

Thanks for the response, GliderGuy and pullupnow. You guys response has been the best response I've gotten on this topic, especially your links GliderGuy.
What do you use to cut the rods to the length you need?

I used a Dremel tool with a cutting disc attachment. Cuts it like a hot knife cuts butter. Eye protection recommended.

By the way…the stock elevator servo is fine, but I did have one fail after TONS of flights. So I moved up to a more $$$ servo. (Repaired and still flying, but I did not want to risk a repeat crash!)

-GG

[Elbee]

Acknowledged and Agreed, Sir.

[Coconut]

Thanks for the response, GliderGuy and pullupnow. You guys response has been the best response I've gotten on this topic, especially your links GliderGuy.
What do you use to cut the rods to the length you need?

[pullupnow]

PN, glad to read you invested in another Phantom. Great livery choice and nicely done, Bravo Zulu, Sir. Best, LB

Thank you Sir! "you can't NOT have a Phantom" :)

[pullupnow]

Pullupnow, what servo and linkages did you use? I want this plane so bad. But, I want to upgrade the elevator however the right way is.

I put in a Hitec D625MW 440 threaded rod and dubro ball links. I flew my previous F4 with the stock set up for years and hundreds of flights, but the upgraded setup is noticeably smoother to fly as well as the increased strength. There has to be dozens of servo options that will work. pretty simple mod especially if you do it during initial assembly.

[GliderGuy]

Pullupnow, what servo and linkages did you use? I want this plane so bad. But, I want to upgrade the elevator however the right way is.

I’ve had good luck with the HV-69, 4-40 threaded rod and heavy-duty Du-Bro linkages. Smaller dimension case, so some plywood supports are needed.

https://www.mksservosusa.com/product...3&cat=5&page=1

Using (have used) this servo in: MiG-29, P-38, F-4
Note: No reverse option available, so with MiG-29 one must internally re-wire to reverse or use an external servo reverser.

https://www.dubro.com/products/heavy-duty-ball-links

https://www.motionrc.com/products/du...SABEgKdWPD_BwE

https://www.motionrc.com/products/du...-1248838163437


-GG

[Coconut]

Pullupnow, what servo and linkages did you use? I want this plane so bad. But, I want to upgrade the elevator however the right way is.